Diplomatic tensions between Moscow and Washington have reached a critical point. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a stern phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which he issued direct threats against the Ukrainian capital.
According to a statement from the Russian ministry, the call was made at the personal request of Vladimir Putin. Lavrov avoided ambiguous phrasing: he informed the American side that in response to so-called "terrorist attacks" on Russian territory, the Russian military is shifting to "systemic and consistent strikes."
Strike Targets and Call for Evacuation
Priority targets for Russian aviation and missile forces, according to Lavrov's statement, will be facilities in Kyiv used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as decision-making centers. This confirms an escalation of the Kremlin's tactics aimed at paralyzing the country's governance.
Lavrov paid special attention to the safety of foreign citizens. He drew Rubio's attention to the Russian Foreign Ministry's recommendation to evacuate diplomatic personnel and citizens from Kyiv. In effect, Moscow is signaling that it considers the Ukrainian capital a high-risk zone where the presence of foreign missions has become untenable.
Reference to "Broken" Agreements
During the conversation, the Russian minister returned to the topic of "agreements on Ukraine," allegedly reached in Anchorage in 2025. Lavrov placed the blame for their collapse on "European elites" and the Ukrainian leadership, accusing them of undermining peace initiatives proposed by the United States. This rhetoric is being used by Moscow to legitimize further military aggression on the international stage.
Despite the harsh tone, Moscow stated that Lavrov and Rubio confirmed their intention to continue working on normalizing the activities of diplomatic missions, "despite known disagreements." However, against the backdrop of threats of massive strikes, these words sound more like a formality.
Context of Escalation
These statements come amid one of the largest air raids in recent times. On the night of May 24, Russia launched 90 missiles and about 600 drones at Ukraine, focusing primarily on attacking Kyiv. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has already confirmed that strikes on the capital will continue.
Experts from the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) note that the sharp intensification of Kremlin rhetoric is linked to the lack of strategic successes on the front. Threats against Kyiv and pressure on the diplomatic presence are intended to distract Russian society from attacks on its own territory and create an image of a "retaliatory measure."